Lang Lang and 100 students perform on Roland digital pianos in unique program

Los Angeles, CA, July 14, 2016 — Classical piano sensation Lang Lang has been bringing his unique “101 Pianists” young musicians concert to stages around the globe. On July 11, 2016, the event came to the L.A. area for the first time, co-presented by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. One hundred piano students from theColburn School of the Performing Arts and theColburn School Music Academy took the stage at the Walt Disney Concert Hall to perform in a unique concert environment. Each student was paired with another student on one of 50 Roland HP-504 digital pianos as well as Steinway & Sons grand pianos. Together, they performed two-handed arrangements of Schubert’s Marche Militaire, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance, and Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca – accompanied by world-renowned pianist Lang Lang.

After a morning rehearsal with a conductor from the LA Phil, the students joined together as a “piano orchestra” in a free concert that was enjoyed by parents, teachers, and the entire community. Lang Lang offered the students positive feedback, emphasizing the importance of dynamics, tempo, and an important skill for playing in a group setting — listening to their fellow players. Afterward, he posed for photos and entertained students’ questions, which included favorites such as, “How long do you practice?” “What is your favorite music?” And of course, “Do you ever get nervous?”

The program visits multiple cities around the world each year with international support from Roland Corporation, who provides 50 pianos for the students to play. “We are proud to be involved with Lang Lang’s foundation and all they do to introduce children to the love of playing music,” states Roland Corporation U.S. President & CEO Jay Wanamaker. “We are especially happy to be involved this time around, since the event includes youth from our own backyard in Los Angeles.”

The series, dubbed “101 Pianists,” is the brainchild of Lang Lang. Its mission is to share classical music with children around the world, as well as to offer piano students a way to perform as a group in more of a social setting, similar to the experience had by their peers who participate in school bands and orchestras. “I started 101 Pianists to give piano students an opportunity to play together,” says Lang Lang. “It started about 15 years ago at one of my concerts where I invited students to join me for an encore – and we had a wonderful time. So, I wanted to do more of these events as a workshop and also a performance for the community. It’s now one of the key programs of my foundation.”

The Roland HP-504 Digital Piano offers signature Roland SuperNATURAL piano sound, which delivers the rich, complex tone of an authentic acoustic grand piano. A variety of convenient features are onboard for students and teachers, including a metronome, dual headphone jacks with independent volume, an adjustable music rest, USB connectivity, and more.

About Roland CorporationRoland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. With more than 40 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music technology for the world to follow. For more information, visit www.RolandUS.com.

About Lang Lang International Music FoundationThe mission of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation™ is to educate, inspire and motivate the next generation of classical music lovers and performers. We encourage music performance at all levels as a means of social development for youth, building self-confidence and a drive for excellence. Since the founding of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation™ in 2008, Lang Lang has taken his commitment to music education to another level by developing sustainable, high impact, unique charitable activities, as well as establishing partnerships with dedicated organizations. For more information, visit us at http://langlangfoundation.org/.